This was the third and last of the Soviet "second-generation" Mars attempts in 1962 and also the only lander in the series.

During the trans-Mars injection firing of the Blok L stage, the main engine (the S1.5400A1) prematurely shut down after 33 seconds due to a malfunction in the programmed timer for the stage. The problem was later traced to excessive vibrations of the second stage during liftoff. These vibrations evidently also jarred loose a pyrotechnic igniter from its support, preventing the Blok L upper stage from firing.

The spacecraft remained stranded in orbit and re-entered Earth's atmosphere. The spacecraft had been intended to fly by Mars on 21 June 1963.

Key Dates

4 Nov 1962: Launch (15:35:15 UT)

Status: Unsuccessful

Fast Facts

The spacecraft had been intended to fly by Mars on 21 June 1963.

Five large pieces of the destroyed spacecraft were tracked by the U.S. Ballistic Missile Early Warning System.